Go, Escaped Crocodiles, Go!

“Many of the crocodiles have been
recaptured, but more than half are still on the loose.”
—Some 15,000 crocodiles
escaped a crocodile farm in South Africa after the human owner
opened the gates last weekend to prevent a storm surge during heavy
rains. That’s a lot of crocodiles! These lovable creatures have
been unfairly besmirched by their association with horrible
footwear in recent years, and also by two guys from San Diego who
write some nice songs but are far too derivative of Glasgow’s
forever awesomer and underrated Jesus and Mary Chain.

“One unusual characteristic of this fearsome predator is its
caring nature as a parent. Where most reptiles lay their eggs and
move on, mother and father Nile crocs ferociously guard their nests
until the eggs hatch, and they will often roll the eggs gently in
their mouths to help hatching babies emerge.”

They are farmed for their meat and valuable skin—which is used
to make belts and boots for people in San Diego. So the jailbreak
is righteous and heroic in that regard. But of course, crocodiles
also kill a lot of people. Like 200 people a year, making them one
of the dangerous animals to humans on the planet. (Their salt-water
cousins in Northern Australian tally ten times that!)

So stay away from the Limpopo River, humans. Give these things a
wide berth.